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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Today is Tom's birthday and while we are all still reeling from our loss, it is important to recognize that life still goes on. Tom is celebrating his 15th birthday today. Sadly, this is the second year in a row he has had his birthday in a funeral home. Last year was Grandma's viewing, this year Lisa's:(

When we asked him if he would prefer we move the viewing and funeral to later in the week so he could celebrate his birthday on the day, this loving, kind, thoughtful, strong young man said "I wouldn't really feel like celebrating before having the funeral....and this way if I have my birthday at the funeral home, Lisa can be there" When asked if he wanted people to wish him Happy Birthday today he said with tears "I would like that"
Tears and big sigh.....for those of you who know Tom if you would like to bring him a card to the funeral home that would be wonderful.

It is with a heavy heart this morning that I write this. Lisa passed away this morning at 4:45 AM, with her Linda and I at her side. I'll post funeral arangement details as soon as they become available. Thank you all for your love and support.

Friday, May 10, 2013

I brought Lisa home Wednesday evening and we met with Angela
Hospice to get her setup with the PCA at home.The PCA enables her to self medicate through her IV if she is feeling
any pain.That works well at the
hospital so we are hopeful that she’ll be more comfortable with it.Once she was at the hospital and a number of
things were done to address her pain she felt much better.On Monday Lisa had platelets and red cells,
and after she was admitted she was put on the PCA, increased steroid, increased
pain meds, Ritalin and IV fluids.Tuesday she was all go at the hospital with only a brief nap. Wednesday
she spent some time in the craft room and we walked down to the café for lunch.
Thursday I walked, Lisa rode in the jogger/stroller, to McDonald’s. It was
about 80 degrees.After we got back home
she took a long nap and woke for dinner and another walk in the jogger.Only time will tell if her pain is under
control but she seems better that she was last weekend. Here she is pictured with a new frog that Aunt
Paula sent along with a box of other goodies.Have a great weekend.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Lisa made her first
communion on Sunday morning.I woke her
up about 15 minutes beforehand.I was
able to get her dressed and in the car, and when we arrived she managed to walk
from the car and into church but immediately laid down.That little ordeal was enough to take a toll.
She stayed down the entire mass with the exception of receiving communion.She sat up and managed communion with a few
painful tears. It was a very touching moment with Father Ron coming to her.

Monday I brought Lisa
to UofM for lab work that would tell us if she needed more blood products, which
she did.She needed both platelets and
red blood cells.When I brought her in
she was very uncomfortable indicating pain on her right side near her bottom
rib and additionally up in her right shoulder.Her pain was so bad that she was actually crying which I can't remember her ever doing. Typically Lisa will retreat to a bed, close her eyes and try to manage
her pain quietly and hope to sleep it off. She’s so
strong. I think she’s actually trying to
“suck it up” at home so that she isn’t a burden, even if she doesn’t know she’s
doing it.What we are beginning to understand
is that when Lisa arrives to the infusion area she seems to feel safe enough to
let her guard down just a bit. Whenever the nurses ask her to rate her pain from 1 -10, it's always 10, at the hospital. When asked if she is in pain at home, almost always the answer is "no". I wish I had her strength.

Including this picture so that you can see her outfit. (Still tightly clinging cha-ching the teddy bear.)

We decided to keep Lisa
overnight at the hospital with the hope of getting a handle on the pain.We are considering bringing her home with VI
pain medicine which would be managed by hospice but we haven’t yet made that
determination.Today, when I spoke to Linda, Lisa was playing in the craft room so I’m taking that as
a positive sign that she’s feeling “better”.Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, and send her lots of healing/pain
relief energies.

Friday, May 3, 2013

We are going to try and triple the excitement with another Catholic celebration this Sunday. Lisa will be making her "second" First Communion. This time she will be wearing the white dress and hopefully be awake to receive communion from the priest:)

We will be attending the 10:30 mass at St John Neumann and have a small celebration for Thomas, Christina and Lisa aftewards. If you would like to join us at either the mass or the celebration, please RSVP with a headcount by clicking the link below:

Click links below to:

Hospital Info

O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for Lisa health, strength and to be cancer free. The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the saint of Miracles. O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. ___________________________

St. Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death, listen to us who are pleading for our sick child. We thank God for the great gift of our daughter, Lisa and ask him to restore our child to health if such be his holy will. This favor, we beg of you through your love for all children and mothers. Amen.___________________________

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:19-20